Method for increasing the dynamic range of a silicon photomultiplier

Abstract

A method for increasing the dynamic range of a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) in particular with regard to the detection of high radiation intensities, individual avalanche photodiodes usually being biased with a bias voltage V R beyond a breakdown voltage V BR , with the consequence of an avalanche discharge of electrons that define the output signal, is characterized in that the output signals resulting from an incident radiation intensity are adjusted by modifying the bias voltage V R , the output signals being evaluated in the integration mode.

1 . A method for increasing the dynamic range of a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) in particular with regard to the detection of high radiation intensities, individual avalanche photodiodes usually being biased with a bias voltage V R  beyond a breakdown voltage V BR , with the consequence of an avalanche discharge of electrons that define the output signal,
 wherein the output signals resulting from an incident radiation intensity are adjusted by modifying the bias voltage V R , the output signals being evaluated in the integration mode.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein as a function of the incident radiation intensity, the applied bias voltage is adjusted to values below the breakdown voltage V BR  to above the breakdown voltage V BR , no avalanche discharge of the avalanche photodiodes taking place at bias voltages below the breakdown voltage; and as the charge pulses per photon become smaller, the sum of the charge pulses of multiple photons is used as a measurable signal. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein precalibrated values for the bias voltage V R , with associated gains, are made available via a control software program. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein operating mechanisms or operating elements that enable a preferably constant, continuous, or stepped gain adaptation are made available via a control software program. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a correction of any saturation effects is carried out automatically or manually via preferably voltage-dependent calibration data. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a correction of at least a possible saturation effect is carried out automatically by means of an automatic gain regulation system.